Fly Fishing North Fork Flathead River MontanaBefore we get started, understanding the Flathead River and its three forks can be a little confusing for those that are not familiar with it. There are three other Flathead Rivers that are completely separate rivers even though they are connected together. They are the Middle and South Forks of the Flathead River and the Main Stemwhich is just called the Flathead River. Each of these three other rivers are covered in a separate section of our Perfect Fly Stream section. Make sure you are reading about the one you plan to fish.

The Main Stem of the Flathead River is formed by the confluence of the North Fork of the Flathead River and the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. The South Fork of the Flathead River enters the Main Stem of the Flathead about five miles below Hungry Horse Dam that forms the big Hungry Horse Reservoir on the South Fork. This river's drainage is huge, including a large part of Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

The North Fork Flathead River flows from British Columbia, Canada, for a length of about 45 miles south into the Montana where it helps form the Main Stem of the Flathead River. It's overall length is 153 miles. Its section that lies in the U. S. is a designated National Wild and Scenic River. It forms the western boundary of Glacier National Park. It is a true wilderness river. It's also a very wide and cold river, fed mostly by melting snow. Fly fishing the North Fork Flathead River is a real adventure. It winds through beautiful mountains with great views of the Glacier National Park.

The river has rainbow and cutthroat trout, the majority of which are smaller sizes, but they are plentiful and fairly easy to catch. The river also host some big Bull Trout but they should be released unharmed. The river has little to no pressure from anglers. Access is easy and plentiful. The North Fork Road follows fairly close to the river for a majority of its length in the Montana.

Fly fishing the North Fork Flathead River is best done from a drift boat. There are plenty of access points along the way and unless the water is very high, the river usually provides a relatively easy float through some of the most gorgeous scenery you will find anywhere. It can also be fished by wading in many places. It is just that you can cover a lot more water by drifting the river.

Seasons:Seasons follow the general Montana fishing season.Spring:Late springtime has some fishing opportunities except during runoff.Summer:The Summer would be best time for fly fishing the North Fork Flathead.Fall:Early Fall can be good.

Options For Selecting Flies:1. Email us (sales@perfectflystore.com)with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response.

2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need.

3. Email us (sales@perfectflystore.com)with a budget for flies and we will select them to match the budget and get them to you in time for your fly fishing trip.

All orders are shipped free in theU. S. Orders over $50 are shipped via Priority Mail.

North Fork Flathead River Fishing Report:

02/10/16 The seasons is currently closed on the North Fork Flathead River. Even so, it is never too early to start planning your next fly fishing trip. We have taken samples of the aquatic insects on many occassions from the North Fork using professional entomology equipment and know what aquatic insects and other foods are present. We don't go by trial and error in selecting flies or what Joe Blow caught yesterday. Let us help you plan your next trip there: Send us an email at: sales@perfectflystore.com.

North Fork Flathead River Fishing Report: May 05, 2018(see bottom of page)

06/16/16 The levels are falling fast and down to where it can be fished. We are not sure if this is the end of the runoff, or the effects of the colder weather.

08/09/16 We are getting some very good reports from customers. There are lots of PMDs, two caddis species and little Yellow stones hatching. Some Goldens are still in the higher part of the stream. Terrestrials are also beginning to work.

08/16/16 No reports from anyone fishing but conditions remain very good. Good stream levels and lots of insects hatching.

08/23/16 Lots of insects are hatching but they depend greatly on the section of the river, more specifically the elevation. Send us an email for a list of flies. The address is just above.

09/06/16 The stream levels are in good shape and several insects are hatching. Our customers reported some good catches during the past holiday weekend. The weather and water temperatures are down lower and that is helping as well.

09/13/16 We set three different groups of guys up with flies and gear taking multi-day trips into the North Fork. All three had very good catch reports. Catching trout is rarely a problem there.

10/26/16 We get very few reports from the N.F Flathead. Few anglers venture to fish it but those that do usually catch plenty of trout. We did get a very good report last week. The upper headwaters will be turning very cold, very soon.

11/09/16 The stream levels are still to high to safely wade. They are dropping and there may be some good opportunity before the end of the month when the season closes.

11/30 The trout fishing season ends today.

12/14/16 It is never too early to start thinking about that next fly fishing trip. Let us help you plan it. Send us an email at: sales@perfectflystore.com.

12/28/16 Happy holidays. It won't be long before a new season begins.

01/25/17 The river is still closed to trout fishing but it isn't to early to send us an email and let us help you plan your next trip to the Flathead. Just let us know the dates you plan to fish.

02/22/17 Just a note to tell you that we are waiting on your email to help you plan that 2017 fishing trip. We outfit several customers each year with flies and gear for it.

03/01/17 Let us help you plan that next North Fork Flathead adventure. Send us and email.

04/19/17 It isn't long before the new fishing season begins. Send us an email and let us help you plan that next fly fishing trip.

06/11/17 The river is still rolling high from runoff. It should be getting near the peak and start

07/07/17 Lost part of the reports from computer problems.07/12/17 The river is in good shape with good levels and clear water. We are getting some good reports from customers. There are Pale Morning and Evening duns, Callebaetis, Salmon flies, Golden stones and little Yellow stones hatching. There Spotted and Green sedge caddis.e

07/26/17 Two good reports from the lower end of the river. There are some very good hatches taking place. We do not have any reports from the upper wilderness sections.

08/23/17 We are recently getting good reports from all sections of the river. The water is still fairly cold and hatches are far behind most other streams. Pale Morning Duns, Pale Evening duns, Golden stoneflies, Little Yellow stoneflies and Spotted sedges and other insects are hatching.

09/06/17 More good reports are coming in. There are still some nice hatches. The water is cooler than most anywhere else in the state. We didn't receive any reports from the uppermost section. Let us hear from you if you fish that part recently.